Chilwell and Gray are friends, after playing alongside each other at England under-20 level.

And the young defender was keen to ring the former Birmingham City winger as soon as he heard of the Foxes’ interest in him, to discuss the move.

“I spoke to him a few days ago,” Chilwell revealed. “I said I’d heard he was coming. We spoke about Leicester a bit and I’d spoken previously about it away with England too. I think he’s looking forward to it.

“He’s played a lot of games in the Championship for Birmingham and he’s probably one of the better players there. He’s proven himself there and he’ll be wanting to prove himself in the Premier League now.”

Gray completed his move to Leicester yesterday, and Chilwell would have been able to welcome his new club teammate on to the training field this morning.

Chilwell has been out on loan with Huddersfield Town for much of the season so far, but he has now returned to Leicester after that move expired.

Gray joins Leicester at a wonderful time, and it seems to Claudio Ranieri will keep him in the side’s first team set up, despite his tender years.

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.